A Room With a View

"Mutardo"

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April 22nd 2007
As I sat watching Jess chomp on his pair of fugu testes, I could only help but wonder how the Japanese determine their delicacies. Fugu, known in English as blowfish, is a somewhat adventurous, albeit tasteless, culinary treat. The fish's liver and other organs contain tetrodotoxin, a poison that can paralyze or even kill a human in small doses and, apparently, only 30% of apprentice chefs who t ... read more

Asia » Japan » Osaka

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more